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New book looks at globalization's effect on poverty

July 20, 2010

KALAMAZOO--The W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research has published a new book based on papers six leading economists presented during Western Michigan University's 2007-08 Annual Werner Sichel Lecture-Seminar Series.

The book, "Globalization and International Development: Critical Issues of the 21st Century," is edited by Dr. Sisay Asefa, WMU professor of economics and director of the University's Center for African Development Policy Research.

According to the Upjohn Institute, one of the most important impacts of globalization is the effect it has on poverty.

"Despite great advances allowing nearly instantaneous flows of data and telecommunications, and the fact that, for some, globalization serves as a means for obtaining freedom, wealth, and prosperity, disproportionate international distributions of wealth and income remains a serious and potentially unsettling social issue," the institute said in announcing its new book.

"In 'Globalization and International Development,' editor Sisay Asefa presents a group of notable scholars who examine the relationship between globalization and poverty from a number of diverse perspectives. Yet despite this variety of views, the authors find common ground in that each sees benefits--particularly, accelerating growth and reducing inequality--from facilitating and expanding flows of international trade and capital, migration, remittances, and foreign aid between nations."

The 127-page book, published in June, includes an introduction by Asefa and the following chapters:

  • "Can Globalization Help?" by Ian Goldin, the first director of the James Martin 21st Century School at the University of Oxford, and Kenneth A. Reinert, professor of public policy at George Mason University.

  • "International Migration, Remittances and Economic Development" by Susan Pozo, professor of economics at WMU.

  • "Globalization and Inequality among Nations" by Joseph P. Joyce, professor of economics at Wellesley College.

  • "The Composition and Allocation of Global Financial Flows: What Are Markets Doing?" by Linda Tesar, chair and professor of economics at the University of Michigan.

  • "Are Developing Countries Converging on Intellectual Property Rights? Evidence from Plant Patents, 1977–2007" by Lisa D. Cook, assistant professor of economics at Michigan State University.

  • "The Challenges and Opportunities of Twenty-First-Century Global Markets" by Hadi Salehi Esfahani, professor of economics and director of Center for South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

For more information about the book "Globalization and International Development," visit the Upjohn Institute Publications site.

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Media contact: Jeanne Baron, (269) 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu

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